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United States Patent |
6,200,856
|
Chen
|
March 13, 2001
|
Method of fabricating self-aligned stacked gate flash memory cell
Abstract
A technique for forming an integrated circuit device having a self-aligned
gate layer and an overlying stacked gate. The method includes a variety of
steps such as providing a substrate (217), which is commonly a silicon
wafer. Field isolation regions (201) including a first isolation region
and a second isolation region are defined in the semiconductor substrate.
A recessed region is defined between the first and second isolation
regions. The isolation regions (201) are made using a local oxidation of
silicon process, which is commonly called LOCOS, but can be others. A
thickness of material (205) such as polysilicon is deposited overlying or
on the first isolation region, the second isolation region, and the active
region. A step of selectively removing portions of the thickness of
material overlying portions of the first isolation region and the second
isolation region is performed, where the removing step forms a
substantially planar material region in the recessed region. A stacked
control gate layer is formed overlying the thickness of material.
Inventors:
|
Chen; Bin-Shing (Hsinchu, TW)
|
Assignee:
|
Winbond Electronics Corporation (Hsinchu, TW)
|
Appl. No.:
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123852 |
Filed:
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July 28, 1998 |
Current U.S. Class: |
438/257; 257/E21.682 |
Intern'l Class: |
H01L 021/824.7 |
Field of Search: |
438/257-267
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
5180680 | Jan., 1993 | Yang.
| |
5488586 | Jan., 1996 | Madurawe et al. | 365/218.
|
5595924 | Jan., 1997 | Yuan et al.
| |
5767005 | Jun., 1998 | Doan et al. | 438/593.
|
6008112 | Dec., 1999 | Acocella et al. | 438/593.
|
Primary Examiner: Booth; Richard
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Townsend and Townsend and Crew LLP
Parent Case Text
This application claims benefit to U.S. provisional Ser. No. 60/079,290
filed Mar. 25, 1998.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of forming a semiconductor integrated circuit device, said
method comprising:
forming a first isolation structure and a second isolation structure on a
semiconductor substrate, said isolation structures having an active region
defined in a recessed region between said first isolation structure and
said second isolation structure;
forming a control gate layer overlying said active region;
forming a first thickness of material overlying said first isolation
structure, said second isolation structure, and said active region,
wherein said thickness of material substantially fills said recessed
region;
selectively removing portions of said thickness of material overlying
portions of said first isolation structure and said second isolation
structure leaving a substantially planar material region in said recessed
region to define a floating gate, said substantially planar material
region being self-aligned into said recessed region;
forming a second thickness of material overlying and contacting said
substantially planar material region which defines said floating gate; and
forming a dielectric layer overlying said self aligned material region and
said second thickness of material, wherein said thickness of material
fills at least 75 percent of said recessed region.
2. A method of forming a semiconductor device, comprising:
forming a first isolation region and a second isolation region on a
semiconductor substrate, said isolation regions having an active region
defined in a first recessed region between said first isolation region and
said second isolation region, wherein said first and second isolation
regions each includes an insulating structure;
forming a thickness of material overlying said first isolation region, said
second isolation region, and said active region;
selectively removing portions of said thickness of material overlying
portions of said first isolation region and said second isolation region,
so that said first and second isolation regions are substantially free of
said thickness of material;
etching a portion of said insulating structure in each of said first and
second isolation regions to define a second recessed region;
forming a dielectric layer overlying said thickness of material; and
forming a control gate layer overlying said dielectric layer.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein said thickness of material is deposited
overlying said active region to substantially fill said first recessed
region.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein said thickness of material is selectively
removed to provide a substantially planar material region in said first
recessed region.
5. A method of forming a semiconductor device comprising:
forming a plurality of isolation regions, wherein each of said plurality of
isolation regions includes an isolating structure;
forming a plurality of active regions, wherein each active region is
defined in a recessed region between two isolation regions;
forming a first conductive material overlying said plurality of isolation
regions and said plurality of active regions, wherein said first
conductive material substantially fills said recessed regions defining
said active regions;
removing said first conductive material overlying said plurality of
isolation regions while leaving at least a portion of said first
conductive material within each of said recessed regions, so that each of
said portions of said first conductive material within each of said
recessed regions are isolated from each other;
forming a dielectric layer overlying said active regions;
forming a control gate layer overlying said dielectric layer
etching a portion of each of said isolating structures after said removing
step;
forming a second conductive material overlying said etched isolating
structures; and
selectively removing said second conductive material overlying said
isolating structures, so that a portion of said second conductive material
coupled to said first conductive material remains on said isolating
structures to form a conductive spacer.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein an upper surface of said portions of said
first conductive material left within each of said recessed regions is at
higher point than an upper surface of each of said etched isolating
structures.
7. A method of forming a non-volatile memory device, comprising:
forming first, second, and third isolation regions having first, second,
and third isolating structures, respectively;
defining first and second active regions between said first and second
isolation regions and said second and third isolation regions,
respectively, wherein said first and second active regions include a first
recessed region and a second recessed region, respectively;
forming a floating gate material overlying said isolation regions and said
active regions, said floating gate material overlying said isolation
regions defines a first portion of said floating gate material and said
floating gate material overlying said active regions defines a second
portion of said floating gate material;
removing a portion of said floating gate material, wherein said first
portion of said floating gate material are substantially removed while
leaving at least a portion of said second portion of said conductive
material overlying the active regions to define a floating gate;
etching a portion of said isolating structures;
forming a conductive spacer material overlying said etched isolating
structures;
selectively removing said conductive spacer material to define a conductive
spacer joined to said floating gate;
forming a dielectric layer overlying said floating gate and said conductive
spacer; and
forming a control gate material overlying said dielectric layer.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein said floating gate is provided over a
tunnel oxide layer and said dielectric layer is an ONO layer, wherein said
conductive spacer joined to said floating gate increases gate coupling
ratio which is defined as;
Gate Coupling Ratio.varies.C.sub.ono /(C.sub.tox +C.sub.ono)
where
C.sub.ono is capacitance of the oxide/nitride/oxide; and
C.sub.tox is capacitance of the tunnel oxide.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to semiconductor integrated circuits and
their manufacture. The invention is illustrated in an example with regard
to the manufacture of a stacked gate "flash" electrically-erasable
programmable read only memory ("Flash EEPROM") cell, but it will be
recognized that the invention has a wider range of applicability. Merely
by way of example, the invention may be applied in the manufacture of
other semiconductor devices such as CMOS, microcontrollers,
microprocessors, application specific integrated circuits, embedded memory
applications, among others.
Industry has used or proposed a variety of memory devices. An example of
such a memory device is an erasable programmable read-only memory
("EPROM") device. The EPROM device is both readable, writable, and
erasable, i.e., programmable. The EPROM is implemented using a floating
gate field effect transistor, which has certain binary states. That is, a
binary state is represented by the presence or absence of charge on the
floating gate. The charge is generally sufficient to prevent conduction
even when a normal high signal is applied to the gate of the EPROM
transistor.
A wide variety of EPROMs is available. In a traditional form, EPROMs are
programmed electrically and erased by exposure to ultraviolet light. These
EPROMs are commonly referred to as ultraviolet erasable programmable
read-only memories ("UVEPROM"s). UVEPROMs can be programmed by running a
high current between a drain and a source of the UVEPROM transistor while
applying a positive potential to the gate. The positive potential on the
gate attracts energetic (i.e., hot) electrons from the drain-to-source
current, where the electrons jump or inject into the floating gate and
become trapped on the floating gate.
Another form of EPROM is the electrically erasable programmable read-only
memory ("EEPROM" or "E.sup.2 PROM"). EEPROMs are often programmed and
erased electrically by way of a phenomenon known as Fowler-Nordheim
tunneling. Still another form of EPROM is a "Flash EPROM," which is
programmed using hot electrons and erased using the Fowler-Nordheim
tunneling phenomenon. Flash EPROMs can be erased in a "flash" or bulk mode
in which all cells in an array or a portion of an array can be erased
simultaneously using Fowler-Nordheim tunneling, and are commonly called
"Flash cells" or "Flash devices."
Flash memory cells, however, are often bulky and difficult to fabricate in
a desired space due to complex geometries of the multiple gate layers used
to form the control and floating gates. Accordingly, flash memory cells
generally cannot be integrated as tightly or closely as other types of
memory devices. Additionally, flash memory cells often require a high gate
coupling ratio to achieve desirable programmability and functionality.
High gate coupling ratios are often achieved by way of increasing the
surface area of the control gate relative to the floating gate while
reducing the surface area of the floating gate that is coupled to the
channel region of the memory cell. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to
increase the gate coupling ratio without significantly increasing the size
of the memory cell.
From the above it is seen that a flash memory cell structure that is
relatively easy to fabricate, cost effective, and reliable is clearly
desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, a technique including a method and
device for the fabrication of an integrated circuit device such as a flash
memory is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention
provides a self-aligned stacked gate flash memory device using a novel
sequence of fabrication processes. This self-aligned gate reduces the size
of the resulting flash memory cell according to certain embodiments.
In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides a method of
forming a semiconductor integrated circuit device that has a self-aligned
gate structure. The method includes a variety of steps such as forming a
plurality of isolation regions in a substrate, which is commonly a silicon
wafer. Each of the plurality of isolation regions is defined by a volume
of isolation material (e.g., CVD oxide) that is defined in the substrate,
and that is defined extending outside the substrate to form a recessed
region (e.g., trench) between at least two of the isolation regions. The
method also includes a step of forming a thickness of material (e.g.,
polysilicon) in the recessed region and overlying the isolation regions,
where the thickness of material can be defined by a substantially
continuous layer overlying and filling the recessed region and overlying
the isolation regions. A step of planarizing the thickness of material
occurs by removing a portion of the thickness of material overlying the
isolation regions to expose an upper surface of the isolation regions to
form a substantially planar surface from the thickness of material
overlying the recessed region and the isolation regions. The planarizing
step forms, for example, a self-aligned floating gate structure from the
thickness of material. A control gate is formed over the floating gate to
form, for example, a stacked gate structure.
In an alternative specific embodiment, the present invention provides a
novel memory integrated circuit, such as a flash memory device, but can be
others. The device includes a semiconductor substrate. A first trench
isolation region and a second trench isolation region are defined in the
semiconductor substrate. The trench isolation regions has an active region
defined in a recessed region between the first trench isolation region and
the second trench isolation region. A tunnel dielectric layer is defined
overlying the active region. The device also includes a self-aligned
floating gate layer defined within the recessed region of the active
region. To complete the gate structure, a dielectric layer is defined
overlying the floating gate layer, and a control gate layer is defined
overlying a portion of the floating gate layer to form, for example, a
stacked gate structure. The present self-aligned gate structure reduces
cell size and improves device integration, as well as other features.
Numerous benefits are achieved using the present invention over preexisting
or conventional techniques. In some embodiments, the present invention can
provide a smaller cell size that improves device integration using a
self-aligned poly-1 process. Additionally, the present invention can use
presently available fabrication tools, such as chemical mechanical
polishing or planarization, which do not require substantial capital costs
if these tools are already available. Furthermore, the invention can
prevent misalignment errors in some embodiments using the present
self-aligned process. Moreover, gate coupling ratio can also be increased
by way of the present self-aligned poly-1 process. These and other
benefits are described throughout the present specification and more
particularly below.
The present invention achieves these benefits in the context of known
process technology. However, a further understanding of the nature and
advantages of the present invention may be realized by reference to the
latter portions of the specification and attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1-2 illustrate simplified diagrams of a conventional stacked gate
flash memory cell; and
FIGS. 3-14 illustrate a method for fabricating a flash memory cell
according to embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
Conventional Flash EEPROM Structures
FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate simplified diagrams of a conventional stacked gate
flash memory cell. As shown, the diagrams include a top-view or plan view
100 and a side-view or cross-sectional view 150 of the conventional
stacked gate flash memory cell. The top-view diagram 100 shows field
isolation oxide region(s) 101, which is commonly termed the FOX region.
The FOX region separates and/or isolates one cell region from another cell
region in the active device region. A flash memory device is defined
between the FOX regions. The flash memory device includes a variety of
features such as a floating gate 105 that is defined between and overlaps
a portion of the FOX regions. A control gate 103 is defined overlying a
portion of the floating gate and is defined overlying portions 107 of the
FOX regions. A contact 109 to a source/drain region is also shown. The
floating gate is made using conventional patterning techniques that form
the floating gate structure which overlaps portions 107 of the FOX
regions. This conventional floating gate is not self-aligned, and leads to
larger cell sizes.
The side-view diagram 150 is made along a cross-section shown along line A
to B in FIG. 1. The side-view diagram 150 of the flash memory device
includes a substrate 117, which is commonly a semiconductor or silicon
substrate. A dielectric layer 121 is defined overlying the top surface of
the substrate 117. The dielectric layer 121 is typically called the tunnel
oxide layer. A floating gate 105 is defined on the tunnel oxide layer. A
transistor source region 111 is defined in the substrate underlying the
tunnel oxide layer. A transistor drain region 113 is defined in the
substrate underlying the tunnel oxide layer. The drain region 113 is also
coupled to the control gate layer 103. A contact region 109 is defined
overlying the drain region 113 in the dielectric layer 122.
Interdielectric layer 122 is defined overlying the transistor structures
including portions of the control gate layer, the floating gate layer, FOX
regions, and other transistor regions.
The above flash device is erased by Fowler-Nordheim tunneling of electrons.
For example, selected voltages are applied to the V.sub.D, V.sub.S, and
V.sub.CG to inject electrons through the edge of the floating gate to the
source. The floating gate thereby becomes relatively more positively
charged. This shifts the threshold voltage in the negative direction so
that in the READ mode the transistor will be "on." In the program mode the
control gate is at a high voltage while a fixed voltage is applied to the
drain junction to generate hot electrons. These hot electrons have
sufficient energy to overcome the oxide barrier and enter into the
floating gate. The threshold voltage thereby shifts in the positive
direction so that in the read mode the transistor will be "off. "
Typically, the erased state corresponds to a logical "1" stored in the
cell, and the programmed state corresponds to a logical "0" stored in the
cell. Of course, in particular implementations, the reverse notational
convention can also be used such that an erased state corresponds to a
logical "0" and a programmed state corresponds to a logical "1".
Numerous limitations exist in this conventional cell structure. As line
widths become smaller, it becomes advantageous to reduce cell size. Cell
size, however, is often limited by the size of the control gate layer,
which should be sufficiently large to increase the gate coupling ratio of
the flash device. Gate coupling ratio can be defined according to the
simplified expression:
Gate Coupling Ratio.varies.C.sub.ono /(C.sub.tox +C.sub.ono)
where
C.sub.ono is capacitance of the oxide/nitride/oxide; and
C.sub.tox is capacitance of the tunnel oxide.
As shown in the above expression, gate coupling ratio ("GCR") is generally
increased by decreasing the thickness of the tunnel oxide layer, which
reduces capacitance of such layer. Unfortunately, it is generally
impossible to maintain effective device performance having a decreased
tunnel oxide thickness for some conventional devices. Additionally, the
geometric configuration of the conventional device limits the relative
area of the tunnel oxide layer to the ONO layer.
Accordingly, GCR simply cannot be adjusted in an easy and cost effective
manner. Some manufacturers have attempted to provide different geometric
configurations from the conventional device shown by FIGS. 1 and 2, but
such configurations often come with additional expense or limitation in
processing the device.
Present Device Methods and Structures
A method according to an embodiment of the present invention is briefly
outlined as follows:
1. Provide semiconductor substrate;
2. Form well(s);
3. Form pad oxide on substrate;
4. Form nitride layer on pad oxide;
5. Form oxide on nitride layer;
6. Pattern oxide and nitride layers;
7. Form trenches in substrate;
8. Form oxide in trenches;
9. Perform field implant;
10. Deposit CVD oxide;
11. Planarize CVD oxide;
12. Remove patterned nitride layer;
13. Remove pad oxide layer;
14. Perform high voltage implant;
15. Form gate dielectric layer;
16. Deposit gate layer (i.e., poly-1) on dielectric layer;
17. Dope gate layer;
18. Planarize gate layer;
19. Mask gate layer;
20. Pattern gate layer;
21. Form oxide layer via etchback;
22. Deposit spacer layer (i.e., poly-2);
23. Form spacer on gate layer;
24. Form oxide-on-nitride-on-oxide (i.e., ONO);
25. Deposit control gate layer (i.e., poly-3);
26. Mask control gate layer;
27. Define control gate;
28. Perform remaining fabrication steps, as necessary.
The above sequence of steps shows a novel method of forming a stacked gate
structure using a self-aligned gate process according to an embodiment of
the present invention. These sequences of steps provides numerous benefits
such as the self-aligned stacked gate structure, as well as others. The
steps are merely an illustration and should not limit the scope of the
claims herein. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize other
variations, alternatives, and modifications. Details of the above steps
are shown by way of the Figs. below.
FIGS. 3-14 illustrate a method for fabricating a memory cell according to
embodiments of the present invention, using cross-sectional and top-view
diagrams. These diagrams are merely illustrations and should not limit the
scope of the claims herein. One of ordinary skill in the art would
recognize other variations, modifications, and alternatives. The present
method begins by forming an oxide layer 203, commonly termed pad oxide,
overlying a top surface of a semiconductor substrate 201, which is often
made of silicon, but can be other materials as well. The pad oxide is
generally formed by a steam or wet oxidation process using, for example,
an annealing furnace. The pad oxide layer often has a thickness of less
than about 0.05 micron, but can be at other thicknesses. Other types of
materials can also be used instead of oxide for this layer.
A masking layer 205 is defined overlying the pad oxide layer, as shown in
FIG. 4. The masking layer 205 can be made of any suitable material that
can withstand subsequent etching processes to be performed. In a specific
embodiment, the masking layer material is a silicon nitride layer. The
silicon nitride layer can be made using a variety of techniques such as
chemical vapor deposition ("CVD"), plasma enhanced chemical vapor
deposition ("PECVD"), and others. The silicon nitride layer is generally
about 0.1 microns or greater, but is not limited to this thickness.
The masking layer is patterned, as shown in FIG. 5. The patterned masking
layer can be patterned using a variety of techniques, including
photolithography. The patterned layer forms exposed regions or openings
overlying portions of the pad oxide or substrate. A step of etching occurs
to remove portions of the exposed pad oxide and portions of the substrate.
The etching is generally anisotropic which is substantially directional in
nature. Etching can take place using techniques such as plasma etching,
reactive ion etching, and other processes. These techniques can be dry as
well as wet. The etching step also forms substantially vertical trenches
in the substrate. A typical trench includes an opening 207, sides, and a
bottom region 211. Other embodiments, the bottom region 211 in each of the
trenches have substantially a same or similar depth.
The method then performs a step of depositing a layer of dielectric
material overlying the trenches and the patterned masking layer, as shown
in FIG. 6. In particular, the dielectric layer overlies the bottom region,
and the sides 209 and fills the opening 207 of each of the trenches.
Unfortunately, most dielectric layer processes are not completely
self-planarizing. Accordingly, the dielectric layer often has a portion
215 that is lower (.beta.) (but thicker) overlying the bottom region of
the trench than a portion 215 (.alpha.) of the dielectric layer overlying
the patterned masking layer. The dielectric layer can be made of any
suitable material such as borophosphosilicate glass ("BPSG"),
phosphosilicate glass ("PSG"), CVD oxide, fluorinated glass ("FSG"), as
well as other dielectric materials.
A planarizing step is used to remove portions of the dielectric layer to
create isolation region(s) 233, as shown in FIG. 7. The isolation region
has an upper surface 219 that is substantially even with the upper surface
221 of the patterned masking layer. Accordingly, the top surface of the
partially completed device is substantially even in shape or geometry. The
planarizing step often uses techniques such as chemical mechanical
polishing or planarization. Chemical mechanical polishing or
planarization, commonly referred as CMP, is a technique of polishing
materials including semiconductor substrates and films overlying such
substrates, which provides a high degree of uniformity and planarity. The
process is used to remove high elevation features on films such as those
portions of the dielectric layer on the isolation regions. Chemical
mechanical polishing uses an apparatus having a single large polishing pad
positioned on a platen, against which a substrate is positioned for
polishing. A positioning member positions and biases the substrate to be
polished against the polishing pad, which is rotating. A chemical slurry,
which is likely to have abrasive materials, is maintained on the polishing
pad to modify the polishing characteristics of the polishing pad and to
enhance the polishing of the substrate or films.
In a specific embodiment, the chemical mechanical polishing process uses a
selected recipe. The polishing process selectively removes the dielectric
material without damaging or removing the patterned masking layer. This
recipe uses a slurry including an abrasive material such as a silica
material. A solution such as KOH is mixed with the abrasive material. The
polishing pad is pressed against the dielectric layer to remove portions
of the dielectric layer while leaving a substantially planarized layer
defined in the trench. As shown, the substantially planarized layer has
the same or similar height as the height of the masking layer. In other
embodiments, the height of the substantially planarized layer is lower or
even higher, but depends upon the application. By way of the trench
forming process and planarizing process, a self-aligned layer of isolation
material is defined.
A selective etching process removes the patterned masking layer, as shown
in FIG. 8. The selective etching process selectively removes the patterned
masking layer without damaging or etching the isolation material 227
and/or the pad oxide layer 231. The etching process substantially removes
the patterned masking layer without leaving any residual material on the
isolation material 227 and/or the pad oxide layer 231. The etching process
can be any suitable selective etching technique, including dry and/or wet
processes. In an embodiment, the etching process is a wet etch process
using solutions such as H.sub.3 PO.sub.4, but can also be others.
The pad oxide or "sacrificial oxide" is removed and a clean layer of gate
dielectric material is grown overlying exposed substrate regions. The gate
dielectric material is an oxide, which is commonly termed gate oxide. The
gate oxide is often grown using a thermal oxidation technique or steam
oxidation technique. Alternatively, the gate oxide can be replaced by
other materials. These materials include silicon oxynitride, silicon
nitride, and others. Additionally, multiple layers can be used as the gate
dielectric layer.
In preferred embodiments, the gate dielectric is a "tunnel dielectric"
layer. The tunnel dielectric layer is formed overlying the surface of the
semiconductor substrate. In particular, the dielectric layer is defined
within the active region between the isolation regions, which are shown by
the protruding isolation material 227. The active region is generally
within the trench between the two isolation regions, as shown. The tunnel
dielectric layer is often made of a high quality oxide such as thermal
oxide or the like. The dielectric layer can also be made of multiple
layers as well as materials such as silicon oxynitrides, silicon nitride,
and other materials.
A polysilicon layer 233 is formed overlying the gate dielectric layer and
isolation regions, as shown in FIG. 9. As shown, the polysilicon layer 237
has a relatively consistent thickness and rests overlying the recessed
region and the field isolation regions 235. Region 234 of the polysilicon
layer is generally higher than region 236 of isolation. The polysilicon
layer is often a thickness of material deposited using a variety of
techniques. In some embodiments, the polysilicon layer is defined at low
temperature in an amorphous state, which is later crystallized.
Alternatively, the polysilicon layer is formed in the polycrystalline
state. The polysilicon layer can be doped using diffusion (e.g.,
POCl.sub.3), in-situ doping (e.g., PH.sub.3), and ion implantation. In an
embodiment using a design rule of about 0.5 micron or less, the thickness
of the polysilicon layer is about 0.15 micron or less. The thickness
generally does not matter in most embodiments due to the subsequent
planarizing steps.
A planarizing step is performed to remove protruding portions of the
polysilicon layer, as shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 10 shows both side-view and
top-view illustrations. The planarizing step often uses techniques such as
chemical mechanical polishing or planarization. Chemical mechanical
polishing or planarization, commonly referred as CMP, is a technique of
polishing materials including semiconductor substrates and films overlying
such substrates, which provides a high degree of uniformity and planarity.
The process is used to remove high elevation features on films such as
those portions of the polysilicon layer on the isolation regions. Chemical
mechanical polishing uses an apparatus having a single large polishing pad
positioned on a platen, against which a substrate is positioned for
polishing. A positioning member positions and biases the substrate to be
polished against the polishing pad, which is rotating. A chemical slurry,
which is likely to have abrasive materials, is maintained on the polishing
pad to modify the polishing characteristics of the polishing pad and to
enhance the polishing of the substrate or films.
In a preferred embodiment, the chemical mechanical polishing process uses a
selected recipe. This recipe uses a slurry including an abrasive material
such as a silica material. A solution such as KOH mixed with the abrasive
material. The polishing pad is pressed against the polysilicon layer to
remove portions of the polysilicon layer while leaving a substantially
planarized layer defined in a recessed region between the isolation
regions. As shown, the substantially planarized layer has the same or
similar height as the height of the isolation regions. In other
embodiments, the height of the substantially planarized layer is lower or
even higher, but depends upon the application. By way of the polysilicon
forming process and planarizing process, a self-aligned layer of
polysilicon material is defined.
The method undergoes a step of etching back exposed portions of oxide layer
227, as shown in FIG. 11. The etch back step selectively removes portions
of the oxide layer to expose a portion of an edge or edges 244 of the
patterned poly-1 layer. In a specific embodiment, the portion of the edge
exposed is about 20 percent or more of the total thickness of the poly-1
layer. Alternatively, the portion of the edge exposed is about 20 percent
or more of the total thickness of the poly-1 layer. As shown, the edge is
often substantially vertical in shape, but can also have slight angles,
depending upon the application. Any oxide is cleared from the exposed
poly-1 layer. A spacer layer 241 (or poly-2) is deposited overlying the
surface of the etched oxide layer 242 and poly-1 layer including edges.
The spacer layer can be made of a variety of materials but is preferably
polysilicon. The polysilicon layer is often a thickness of material
deposited using a variety of techniques. In some embodiments, the
polysilicon layer is defined at low temperature in an amorphous state,
which is later crystallized. Alternatively, the polysilicon layer is
formed in the polycrystalline state. The polysilicon layer can be doped
using diffusion (e.g., POCl.sub.3), in-situ doping (e.g., PH.sub.3), and
ion implantation. In an embodiment using a design rule of about 0.5 micron
or less, the thickness of the polysilicon layer is about 0.3 micron or
less.
Sidewalls spacers 243 are defined on edges of the exposed regions of the
poly-1 layer, as shown in FIG. 12. The spacers also sit on the oxide layer
227. The sidewall spacers are formed using an etching process. The etching
process is often an anisotropic etching process such as plasma etching,
ion milling, or reactive ion etching. In most embodiments, the sidewall
spacers are conductive and connect to the poly-1 layer. Accordingly, it is
the combination of the sidewall spacers and the poly-1 layer that define
the floating gate in, for example, the flash memory structure.
An insulating layer 245 is defined overlying the sidewall spacers and the
poly-1 layer, as shown in FIG. 13. In particular, an oxide layer is
defined overlying the first polysilicon layer and sidewall spacers. In a
specific embodiment, the present invention uses a furnace oxidation
process that relies upon steam oxidation to form a dielectric layer such
as the oxide layer. A thin nitride layer is deposited overlying the oxide
layer. A subsequent oxide layer can be deposited overlying the nitride
layer. The combination of the oxide/nitride/oxide is commonly termed ONO.
Of course, the type of dielectric layer used depends upon the application.
A third polysilicon layer or control gate layer 247 is defined overlying
the surface of the structure. The polysilicon layer is often a thickness
of material deposited using a variety of techniques. In some embodiments,
the polysilicon layer is defined at low temperature in an amorphous state,
which is later crystallized. Alternatively, the polysilicon layer is
formed in the polycrystalline state. The polysilicon layer can be doped
using diffusion (e.g., POCL.sub.3), in-situ doping (e.g., PH.sub.3), and
ion implantation. The third polysilicon layer is defined using masking and
etching steps, as shown in FIG. 14. The top-view diagram shows the control
gate 249 that intersects the floating gate, including poly-1 and sidewall
spacers.
GCR is increased by way of the present invention. As shown in the above
Figs., the portion of the floating gate coupled to the channel region
includes a portion of poly-1 and not the sidewall spacers. This portion is
smaller in surface area than the portion of the floating gate, including
poly-1 and the sidewall spacers, that is coupled to the control gate.
Accordingly, GCR is increased by way of the smaller surface area of the
floating gate that is coupled to the channel region than the surface area
of the floating gate that is coupled to the control gate. Additionally,
the floating gate is defined within the field oxide regions by way of a
self-aligned process, which reduces the area of the floating gate, to
provide a smaller cell design, thereby improving device integration.
While the above is a full description of the specific embodiments, various
modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents may be used. For
example, specific dimensions are discussed above for the specific
embodiments. But of course, these dimensions may depend on the particular
application. Therefore, the above description and illustrations should not
be taken as limiting the scope of the present invention which is defined
by the appended claims.
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